The World Heritage Site "Sonohiya Takemitake Stone Gate" is a prayer gate / I went to Shuri Castle in Shuri, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. As soon as you pass through the gate of Morirei, you will find the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sonohiya Takemitake Stone Gate. It is a gate built in 1519 and is used as a place of worship for the royal family, and it is said that when the king went out from Shuri Castle, he prayed for safety on the way at this stone gate. This gate is not a gate for people to pass through, but a sanctuary spreads out behind the stone gate and is a place to pray. The stone gate was destroyed during the Battle of Okinawa, but was restored in 1957. Most of Okinawa's valuable buildings have been destroyed in the war. A precious heritage to protect!

It is an Anno Iwato Shinryujin located in Sumoto City, Awaji Island. This shrine is located along Route 28 and is so small that you can't help but pass by it when you are driving. The Shrine was located in a cave, and when you stepped inside, it was a truly mysterious space where the stream of time seemed to be different only in that place. This photo was taken with the Shrine in the background, and the shape of the cave hole was similar to the topography of Awaji Island.

Just like ringing a bell when praying at a shrine, the sound of a bell has been believed since ancient times to have the power to connect gods and people and bestow blessings. This year, I would like to express my wishes to God and Held in wind chime Dedication so that you can continue to live with hope and peace in the future. Please write your wish on a strip of wind chime and offer it to God with the sound of a pure wind chime. During the summer until the end of August, wind chimes are hung throughout the corridor of the Precincts. We will also distribute wind chime Dedication Limited Time wind chime shuin stamps this year as well. Please come to the reception desk of the company office within the period. Last but not least, under the divine virtue of the great god of Oi Shrine, I would like to pray for your continued happiness and good health. 〔Dedication acceptance period〕　　 June 1st ~ August 20th *Wind chimes will be displayed until August 31st (Daily 8:30~17:00) 　

A red Torii (shrine gate) ⛩️ gate photographed at Mt. Hotayama Soeiji Temple in Shizuoka Prefecture The weather was cloudy, but the darkness added to the silence On the way, we had Dango with a history of more than 150 years

Fireworks ? in the sky of Odaiba "STAR ISLAND 2024" will be the first Held in in Tokyo Events Held in around the world have landed in Tokyo for the first time! The history of Odaiba is that the Edo shogunate, which felt threatened by Perry's arrival in Japan in 1853 (Kaei 6), built six daiba (artillery batteries). In the process leading up to the present, the 3rd Daiba and the 6th Daiba have been preserved, and the 3rd Daiba is preserved as a park, and the 6th Daiba is preserved on the Ocean as a historical site rich in nature and valuable academically! I'm ? looking forward to next year

Osaka Castle, also known as "Osaka-jo" in Japanese, is a five-story iconic symbol of Japan with a history spanning nearly 450 years. It stands as a testament to Japan's rich past and is a must-visit for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the country's history and architectural wonders. This popular landmark attracts both local and international visitors year-round, offering a glimpse into Japan's fascinating past and captivating with its timeless beauty.

Sunset on Lake Biwa Shirahige Shrine, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture

About 1,250 years ago, Kukai opened the sacred place of Shingon esoteric Buddhism, Koyasan "Kondo" at night. Unlike Mt. Koya, which is crowded with tourists during the day, it is a quiet world.

Uji City, Kyoto Ujigawa cormorants are said to have already been practiced in the Heian period, and have a long history Impression when I saw it for the first time, it was ? a mysterious sight with a female cormorant being active I didn't know if flash photography was good for animals, so I dared to shoot without flash

A townscape that makes you feel like you've traveled back in time to Edo Narai juku, Nagano There was also a large Kiso Bridge nearby, and it was a ? place where you could feel the history

Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku (1693), and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae (baikamo), which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is ? a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water wheel in Shinno, Kamikawa-cho, Hyogo Prefecture It is said that it has existed since before the 6th year of Genroku (1693), and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum algae (baikamo), which only lives in clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter a rural landscape rich in rich in nature and a beautiful original landscape that should be protected. There is ? a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Water turbine in Shinno, Kamikawa, Hyogo It is said to have existed since before the 6th year of Genroku (1693), and 11 water wheels with a diameter of about 3 m are scattered in the waterway with abundant flow, and Ume Plum flower algae (baikamo), which only live in Clear streams, can be seen nearby, and you can encounter Rich in nature rural scenery and beautiful original scenery that should be protected. There is ? a scene here that I want to visit many times in the past and connect from the history of the past to the future

Katakurakan (Nationally Important Designated Cultural Property) 　It is a day trip bathing facility located about 7 minutes on foot from Kamisuwa Station. It was also the location of the movie "Thermae Romae II", and there is also a famous bath in Suwa City. 　It is a 1.1m deep bath called the "1,000-person bath", and you can stand up and enter! You will be surprised when you tell them. The bottom of the public bath is paved with jade gravel, which stimulates the soles of the feet comfortably.　It's the perfect bath for a tired body! Even in the hot summer, Kamisuwa Hot Spring ♨ is recommended 　You can also take a day trip here, so please enjoy it together with the historical architecture! search Ward → Katakurakan Sennin Bath

Hitachi Seaside Park 2024.04.25 Blue Sky and Nemophila I did my best at a little trot.

Ashikaga Flower Park 2024.04.25 Miraculous wisteria illumination

Imagine a time when samurai ruled the land and constructed magnificent forts. Himeji Castle, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site, is a sight to behold. Its most striking feature is the daitenshu, the main donjon. This impressive structure stands at 31.5 meters tall with five stories on the outside and seven interior floors, reaching a total height of 46.3 meters. The castle is surrounded by three smaller keeps connected by roofed passages, adding to its grandeur. Designated as national treasures, the donjons and watariyagura are a testament to Japan's rich history and architectural ingenuity.

Niigata Twisted Cedar Thought-provoking history A long time ago, when the people of the village did not yet know how grateful the Buddha was, a monk passed by this village. It was a hot summer, so I was tired and thirsty. So I went into a house on the side of the road and asked for a glass of water, but at that house, I didn't even look at him while weaving grouper, and I didn't even say to him, "There is no water." Rejected by all the houses, he could not even drink a glass of water, let alone rice, even after nightfall. "I don't need food or water, but it is the people of this village who are pitiful, and I will never know how grateful the Buddha is," she said with tears in her eyes, "I want to at least let the people after me know that I have come. If you do that, one day you will take refuge in the teachings of the Buddha," he twisted a small Cedar tree beside him, said, "Keep going," and walked away. As the cedar twisted and grew as the monk suggested, the villagers learned about the great power of the Buddha for the first time and began to believe in the Buddha. And before long, the villagers began to cherish it, saying, "That's Kobo-sama's twisted cedar." Now. There are many small cedars growing at the base of the twisted cedar, but they are all twisted in the same way as the parent cedar. (From "Nakazato Village History, First Volume", pp. 81-82) #History #Photo Contest

Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, stands as the best-preserved castle in Japan. This stunning fortress is not just a Japanese National Treasure but also a World Heritage site. With its 400-year-old, seven-story castle keep and over 1,000 cherry trees that bloom in spring, the castle's grounds are a sight to behold.

Koiwai Farm 100 Years of Forest There are tours that allow you to enter places that you would not normally be able to enter. In front of the wasteland at the southern foot of Mt. of Iwate, Koiwai Farm is said to have been filled with regret for destroying many "beautiful rice fields and good fields" during his many years of involvement in the railway construction project. If this kind of wilderness is left untouched, I would like to at least make up for the loss of beautiful countryside by clearing it and opening up large farms. Isn't that what I should do for the public good? Inoue thinks so. Inoue confided in Yoshima Ono, who had supported Mitsubishi under Yataro Iwasaki, and asked for his help. At that time, Mitsubishi's younger brother, Yanosuke Iwasaki, was the second president of Mitsubishi after Yataro's death. Yoshima Ono immediately brings Inoue and Yanosuke together. It is said that Yanosuke was impressed by Inoue's lofty desire to open a farm in the wasteland for the national public, and readily agreed to invest on the spot. Thus, on January 1, 1891 (Meiji 24)), Inoue became the owner of the farm and Koiwai Farm was opened. The name Koiwai was created by taking one letter each from the surnames of Ono, Iwasaki, and Inoue. That's it. There is a 100-year-old forest in it. This forest is there to grow 99-year-old cedars.

Hirosaki Castle Flower Raft 2024.04.20 In Hirosaki Castle, there is a "Team Sakura Guard", and this team protects the cherry blossoms. Cherry trees that are over 100 years old also produce a lot of flowers thanks to this team. Gari will drop a lot of petals because it will have a lot of flowers, and this raft will be completed.

Snow-covered Kinkakuji Temple　 2021.12.18 Where I went with studless tires for the first time There was still snow from the night before.

Doll memorial service Nagano Prefecture Suwa City Hot Spring Temple (Rinzai sect Myoshinji sect) On March 17, 2014, I went to a Hot Spring Temple. It is about a 10-minute walk from Kamisuwa Station. This temple offers Traditional Japanese straw raincoat dolls and stuffed animals. It's like a funeral for Traditional Japanese straw raincoat dolls and stuffed animals. At the Hot Spring Temple, a memorial service for dolls is held every March. 　In Japan, there is a Boys' Day (May 5) and a Girls' Day (March 3). Most grandparents give dolls as gifts for their grandchildren to pray for the growth and health of their children. It is a traditional doll original to Japan. That's why many Japanese families have Japanese dolls. I think dolls also have a soul like animism. So, if your child has a doll, the child will play with the doll. Adult, I think we move away from dolls. Most Japanese people don't simply throw away the dolls that have watched their children grow up. Because the doll spent time with the child. Most Japanese people think that dolls have souls. That's why we make a memorial service for the dolls. 　On this day, more than 1,000 dolls were gathered. The priest recited sutras on dolls and stuffed animals for about 30 minutes. The priest gave thanks to the doll with cleansing salt. We prayed with the same feeling. 　 It was a very, very strange experience. I've never seen so many dolls and stuffed animals. However, it is a very hearty Buddhist offering for the doll. I feel that I was able to feel the Buddhist sentiment a little. That's why I love Japan!! 　Hot Spring Temple is also famous as a famous place for autumn leaves. If you want to see the beautiful autumn leaves, please come and see the autumn leaves at the Hot Spring Temple.

It is one of the three major fire festivals in Japan and is designated as an important Intangible folk cultural property of Japan. It is spectacular to see 12 large torches weighing about 50 kg each parading along the approach. This year's ceremony will be held on July 14.

Narai-juku, located on the old Nakasendo road, is the longest post town in Japan, stretching about 1 km along the Narai River. This historic site features the Chinjin Shrine at the top of Torii Pass on its Kyoto end. Once a bustling hub for travelers, Narai-juku was known as "Narai Senken" (Narai's Thousand Houses) and was the busiest stop on the Kisoji road. The town still preserves architectural marvels from the Edo period, such as the eaves lights of the inns and the thousand latticed windows, reflecting the timeless grandeur of the area.

Matsumoto Castle on a heavy snowy day The Chuo Expressway was closed to traffic, so I took a big detour on the Kanetsu Road and entered Matsumoto on the lower road from Azumino. It took me 6 hours to get there in 3 hours (laughs).

Matsumoto doesn't snow as much as Tokyo The day after the heavy snowfall was a blue sky. It was the first time I saw Matsumoto Castle with a frozen moat.

There is a tree grasping a large rock near Takijiri Oji and Oji Shrine on the Kumano Kodo Nakabe Road mountain trail. A large number of pilgrims start from Prince Takijiri and walk to the Hongu Taisha Shrine.

【Ōgahas】 The Giant Lotus is an ancient lotus that was discovered and bred in 1951 by a group led by botanist Dr. Ichiro Ohga. As a result of dating, it is known that it is a lotus that is at least 2,000 years old, and it is known as the world's oldest lotus that was excavated from an old stratum and successfully germinated and grown. This precious giant hath is rooted in about 250 places in Japan and overseas, and you can see its beautiful appearance in each place. Chiba City will be the "birthplace" of such a giant hasu. The lotus pond in front of the Lotus Pavilion in Chiba Park in Chiba City welcomes Renge Best time to visit from mid-June to July every year, and when there are more than 700 flowers, more than 700 flowers bloom, and many tourists Visit to see the graceful appearance of the giant lotus. There are walking paths and benches in the surrounding area, so you can spend a relaxing time with cherry blossom viewing. In addition to the beauty of the flowers, the historical background and the achievements of Dr. Ohga will allow those who visit to enjoy even more Impression. In addition, the flowers usually open from early morning to mid-morning and close around noon, so it is recommended to watch the giant hath in the morning! [Chiba Park] ■ Access: About a 10-minute walk from JR Chiba Station Chiba Park Exit or North Exit Get off in front of Chiba Monorail Chiba Park Station ■Address: 3-1-1 Benten, Chuo-ku, Chiba City

Kenninji Temple 2022.09 "Twin Dragon Ceiling" Junsaku Koizumi's masterpiece of heavenly painting It's also amazing to be able to shoot. It is the oldest Zen temple in Kyoto.